Biodiversity Division｜Organization｜National Institute for Environmental Studies

Biodiversity Division HP

Director

Director of Biodiversity Division
TAMAOKI Masanori

Greetings

Biodiversity underpins human livelihoods and economic activities. However, the ongoing expansion of human activities has caused ecosystem degradation, leading to biodiversity loss, which is a significant global concern. Internationally, the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, which sets global targets for 2030, has been adopted. In Japan, the National Biodiversity Strategy established key objectives, including “achieving coexistence between humans and nature” and “promoting the sustainable use of natural capital” through “restoring ecosystem health”.

To address this societal demand, the Biodiversity Division promotes research to assess ecosystem conditions and support their restoration and sustainable use. In particular, building on long-term monitoring, the Division advances biodiversity observation methods using automatic observation technology and environmental DNA. It also promotes large-scale biodiversity observations using these approaches, while developing evaluation and monitoring methods and indicators to support the realization of the 30 by 30 target and nature-positive outcomes. It also conducts research on human-mediated ecosystem management and pathways to coexistence with nature.

The Biodiversity Division aims to advance a sustainable future where humans and nature coexist by employing science-based observation, assessment, and collaborative ecosystem management.

Outline of Research

Human-Nature Harmony Research Domain

The Human-Nature Harmony Research Domain is a strategic research field within the National Institute for Environmental Studies and is primarily conducted by the Biodiversity Division. This domain consists of two primary pillars: the “Integrated Environmental Research Project” and “Basic and fundamental approaches.”

The Integrated Environmental Research Project seeks to restore ecosystem health, foster coexistence between humans and nature, and ensure the sustainable use of natural capital. To achieve these goals, three sub-projects have been established: “Integrated Research towards Harmonizing Human-Nature Interactions," “Integrated Assessment of the Impacts of Anthropogenic Environmental Disturbances on Biodiversity and Conservation Strategies,” and “Biological Responses to Environmental Changes.”

The Basic and fundamental approaches initiative will advance cutting-edge and exploratory research, support policy-responsive studies, and foster the development of intellectual research infrastructure. Additionally, it will establish a new “Environmental DNA Biodiversity Monitoring Center” to facilitate the dissemination of environmental DNA analysis and serve as a hub connecting regional research institutions.

Furthermore, the project will generate scientific knowledge that supports the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, advancing nature-positive outcomes and fostering a society that coexists with nature.

Organization

Biodiversity Assessment and Projection Section
We will conduct research on biodiversity evaluation and projection, as well as on the development of conservation methods.

Ecological Risk Assessment and Control Section
We will conduct research on the assessment of risks threatening biodiversity and ecosystems and on the development of countermeasures.

Ecophysiology Section
We conduct research on the mechanisms of biological responses, acclimation, and adaptation to their environment.

Organismal and Ecosystem Function Section
We will elucidate the functions of organisms and ecosystems and conduct research on their utilization and conservation.

Biodiversity Conservation Planning Section
We will conduct research on biodiversity conservation planning based on the evaluation of biodiversity/ecosystem services.

Biodiversity Resource Utilization Research Office
We will promote research infrastructure related to biological resources and monitoring that will contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Environmental Genetic Information Research Office
We conduct the acquisition and analysis of genetic information that supports the assessment and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as related research.

Lake Biwa Branch Office
It is a joint laboratory under the Regional Environment Conservation Division and the Biodiversity Division and is based at the Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute (Shiga Prefecture). We conduct research on the lake environment, mainly on Lake Biwa.

Group

Collaborative Research Group on Biodiversity
We will develop a collaborative community to contribute to biodiversity and related policy through networking national and international networks of biodiversity observations and data applications.

Our Researchers

Research Staff - Biodiversity Division

Database / Tool

Invasive Species of Japan
This is a searchable database that contains information on the main invasive alien species in Japan.
NIES microbial culture collection
It is possible to refer to the list of strains preserved in the microbial culture collection at NIES, which includes the essential information of the culture strains, references, and image data. Additional information, such as how to order, deposit, handle, and cultivate strains is also available.
Lake Kasumigaura Database
This database provides water quality and aquatic organism data of Lake Kasumigaura, which has been monitored for more than 40 years since the establishment of NIES.